A Couple Of Questions

[MarlinMan]

Okay, so it would appear that my tank has cycled...(60litre) I currently have 8 neon tetras and a few live plants!

I posted last week regarding Betta compatiblity and had settled on adding a Betta and another group of schooling fish along with a bottom feeder...I had originally narrowed the next purchase down to either black phantoms or cherry barbs but after a visit to the LFS I'm considering a few Rosy Tetras!

So....

1) first question... are Rosy Tetras compatible with Bettas?

2) Secondly... How many Rosy Tetras would you consider acceptable...I'm thinking 6-8 (but only adding 4 to start with to minimise the increased Bioload).

3) Is there a male:female Ratio?

4) My fourth question is regarding bottom feeders...I'm struggling to find anything suitable for my 60litre tank. I was advised to have a look at Otocinclus by a member of this forum but have yet to see one in any of my LFS'...I do like the look of them...I have read that you should keep a small group...how many would you add to a small tank like mine...I was thinking three?

5) Whilst in the LFS today the chap I spoke to suggested a bristlenose catfish/plec although I'm concerned that these grow too big for my tank...are they suitable or not?

So my final stocking would look something like this...what do you think: ???

8 Neon Tetras
6-8 Rosy Tetras
1 Male Betta
3 otocinclus

Could I up the number of Neons or Rosy's or am I just about there with this tank?

 

[micko]

Can't really answer any question other than number 5 as I don't know enough about those species but I definitely wouldn't add any plec to a 60ltr tank. Your right, they do grow too big and in a 60ltr tank they would dirty it very quick too.

 

[MarlinMan]

Ok thanks Micko...I'll edit my stocking list!

 

[MarlinMan]

Come on guys....anyone have anything else to add?

 

[TANKROOM]

Sorry not familiar with your choice of fish other than neon tetras which like to live in shoals of 10+.

 

[Harlequins]

Rosa tetras are suppose to be pretty friendly - unsure how bettas take them.Sex ratio - i dont think it matters too much.

Just be aware not all Bettas are social and may attack any fish if it feels threatened.All bettas vary...

Neons can be sensitive to water conditions,especially in a new set up and are subceptable to neon tetra disease,bigger the group the better,has they can nip at each other in smaller groups.
Harlequin rasboros are more hardy and can have different colours,incl black & purple variations-just a suggestion

Otos also do better in mature tanks with plenty of algae around,they need a constant supply has they graze all the time,so wouldn't recommend them in a new tank....

Dwarf cories could be a way to go for bottom feeders,pygmys do tend to shoal mid tank but theres also hastatus. & habrosus-this known in some lfs has the salf & pepper corys,they get slightely bigger than the pygmys.

 

[MarlinMan]

Sorry not familiar with your choice of fish other than neon tetras which like to live in shoals of 10+.

Thanks TANKROOM... It seems to be the more the better with most schooling species which is why I asked the question at the end of whether I could up the numbers anymore in such a small tank!

Rosa tetras are suppose to be pretty friendly - unsure how bettas take them.Sex ratio - i dont think it matters too much.

Just be aware not all Bettas are social and may attack any fish if it feels threatened.All bettas vary...

Neons can be sensitive to water conditions,especially in a new set up and are subceptable to neon tetra disease,bigger the group the better,has they can nip at each other in smaller groups.
Harlequin rasboros are more hardy and can have different colours,incl black & purple variations-just a suggestion

Otos also do better in mature tanks with plenty of algae around,they need a constant supply has they graze all the time,so wouldn't recommend them in a new tank....

Dwarf cories could be a way to go for bottom feeders,pygmys do tend to shoal mid tank but theres also hastatus. & habrosus-this known in some lfs has the salf & pepper corys,they get slightely bigger than the pygmys.

Harlequins... Thanks for the suggestion of Rasboras but tbh they don't do much for me! Again RE: neons....the more the better and if I have room then I will increase the numbers!

I like Cory's but read that they prefer sand and I have gravel so I kind of ruled them out! I think I'll stick with he Otos and add them last once the tank is more mature...I'm not rushing anything...I've done a fish-in cycle with the neons and am now slowly increasing the bioload...

I'm off to the LFS this afternoon to buy 4 Rosy Tetras...I've just done a 50% water change to make sure water quality is at its best for the new arrivals! I'll try and get a few pics up at some point too!

Thanks again guys!

 

[MarlinMan]

Well the Rosys have been in for about two hours now...the guy in the LFS was very helpful and suggested two males and two females....although I can't tell the difference! ...he suggested adding another two at some point increasing the shoal to 6.

It looks like they're establishing territory or dominance atm just like the neons did at first...One seems to guard a small piece of bogwood with Java Moss attached (always seems to be where the squabbles break out...in the middle of the tank)...chasing anyone off that comes near! I'll keep an eye on him!

Seen some lovely Red fighters today in the quarantine tanks too!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Trigonostigma espei are an outstanding looking fish in the rasboras group, IMHO.

 

[MarlinMan]

What brilliant fish these Rosy Tetras are! Well chuffed I went for them! They are very active....just watching the two males display is fascinating! They're like a red arrows display team wizzing round the tank in perfect unison!!

 

[Beanlekin]

Bristlenose pleco/catfish would be fine for this size tank. They only grow to about 10-13cm and I have 2 in my 50 litre. Just make sure that it is a bristlenose and not another species of pleco as some of them get WAAAAAY too big for a 60L! They do produce a LOT of poo though but it only takes me about 10 mins every couple of days to get rid of it.

 

[micko]

Bristlenose pleco/catfish would be fine for this size tank. They only grow to about 10-13cm and I have 2 in my 50 litre. Just make sure that it is a bristlenose and not another species of pleco as some of them get WAAAAAY too big for a 60L! They do produce a LOT of poo though but it only takes me about 10 mins every couple of days to get rid of it.

Are you serious? Two fish that grow up to 6 inches in a 50ltr tank? Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

 

[MarlinMan]

Bristlenose pleco/catfish would be fine for this size tank. They only grow to about 10-13cm and I have 2 in my 50 litre. Just make sure that it is a bristlenose and not another species of pleco as some of them get WAAAAAY too big for a 60L! They do produce a LOT of poo though but it only takes me about 10 mins every couple of days to get rid of it.

Thanks for the input mate...I've taken it on board but don't want to be doing water changes every two days!

I think I've settled on Otos at some point down the line! They will probably be my last addition once the tank has matured a little!